***R1 GAME 3 Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings GDT 4/23/26 7:00pm on TNT,

[SloMo26]

Maybe the Avs will throw Game 4 so they can win it back at home.



and keep one of my brackets alive

 

[HiFi]

Losing to EDM a fifth year in a row would be pathetic…

Never would’ve happened.

 

[DoubleMinor]

The die was cast when the Kings lost the final two games of the season and guaranteed a matchup with Colorado. Not saying they would’ve fared much better against Edmonton but there’s no configuration of this Kings roster that can beat a healthy Avs roster 4 out of 7 games.

Personally I’m satisfied seeing a team that hasn’t rolled over but instead has lost all 3 game because they just aren’t nearly as good as their opponent. No blaming the refs or bad breaks or what ifs. The Avs are just really ****ing good.

This is right on the money. This series is what one would expect between the #1 and #8 seed.
I figured the series would see a blowout or two. While that could still happen next game the Kings have played better than I even had hoped.
Game 2 really sealed the outcome.
As you said, the Avs are just really good.

 

[kIngsX]

On the contrary...defense and grind is the only way this team can w barring a proper rebuild. There's just not enought talent here to win with offensive minded system.

Not just the current build of the team...the farm system is also heavily skewed towards the defense. No standout offensive players on either end of the ice.

Ok sure, but defense & grind is taxing on the body & endurance eventually comes into play. This team was young when Sutter came on board & his team was able to respond to the style of play he demanded from them. That is not this team. This team is old & slow. Which brings me back to my original take: what kind of team is Holland trying to build, because I can’t tell from this iteration

 

[DoubleMinor]

Ok sure, but defense & grind is taxing on the body & endurance eventually comes into play. This team was young when Sutter came on board & his team was able to respond to the style of play he demanded from them. That is not this team. This team is old & slow. Which brings me back to my original take: what kind of team is Holland trying to build, because I can’t tell from this iteration

Good points, particularly the young vs old take.
WRT to what kind of team Holland is building, I think Holland thought he had a contender, wanted a couple bigger defensemen, a fourth line and a couple role players.
He got Armia. And he eventually got a fourth line.
But the two bigger D were the best available and we don’t know who else he made offers for before this signings outside of Gavy.
This was the first step for Holland. And he was able to bring in Panarin & Laughton without shedding valuable assets during the season.
This offseason will be a real tell as far as the additional moves that he will make, and hopefully Holland will tinker with the D and see what others moves are there to make the Kings better.

Holland did make some good moves. He also made some very questionable ones. That’s life for most GM’s.